Andalusia
Southern Spain, home to flamenco, tapas, and the most passionate fiestas
Festivals in Andalusia
Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen
On July 16th, every fishing village and coastal town in Spain honours the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of fishermen and sailors. Statues of the Virgin are carried in procession to the sea and placed on decorated boats for a maritime parade — one of Spain's most photogenic summer traditions.
September
Bienal de Flamenco
The Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla is the most important flamenco event in the world. Held every two years in the spiritual home of flamenco, this month-long festival brings together the finest artists in cante (singing), baile (dance) and toque (guitar) for dozens of performances across Seville's most atmospheric venues. From legendary masters to boundary-pushing newcomers, the Bienal is where flamenco's past, present and future converge.
Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza
Spain's oldest pilgrimage brings over 500,000 devotees to the sanctuary atop the Sierra Morena mountains near Andújar every April, with decorated wagons, horseback riders and flamenco.
May
Patios Festival (Córdoba)
The Córdoba Patios Festival (Fiesta de los Patios) is held each May, when private courtyards open to the public and compete for prizes based on floral decoration and traditional design.
August
Feria de Málaga
Feria de Málaga is the city’s major August fair, combining daytime celebrations in the historic center with nighttime festivities at the fairground (Real de la Feria).
September
Fiesta del Cascamorras
The Fiesta del Cascamorras is one of Spain's most extraordinary and bizarre festivals. Every 6 September, a man covered in black grease (the Cascamorras) attempts to run from the town of Guadix to Baza to reclaim a statue of the Virgin of Piedad — while thousands of equally grease-covered locals try to stop him. The result is a spectacular, chaotic, oil-black mass of humanity. Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, it's an ancient rivalry turned into joyful, slippery mayhem.
October
Romería de Valme
One of Andalusia's grandest pilgrimages brings thousands of decorated carts, horseback riders and flamenco singers from Dos Hermanas to the Valme hacienda on the third Sunday of October.